Buro Ole Scheeren Unveils Plans for Green-Roofed DUO Towers in Singapore

<a href="http://www.buro-os.com/duo" target="_blank">Buro Ole Scheeren</a> just unveiled plans for a new mixed-use double high rise project in Singapore’s historic Kampong Glam district. <a href="http://www.buro-os.com/duo/" target="_blank">DUO</a> is composed of two skyscrapers that feature concave walls to fit within the context of the site and their relationship to the surrounding buildings. Ole Scheeren's design for the project centered around creating a greater social connectivity, providing lots of open space and sustainability. The site has the equivalent of 100% accessible green space with the help of green roofs on both towers.

<a href="http://www.buro-os.com/duo/" target="_blank">DUO</a> is set to be located adjacent to the Kampong Glam district on an open site in between a number of other high rise towers.

The design seeks to improve connectivity on the site as well as to the other sites and public transportation.

The tower's footprint and profiles were created by carving out set public spaces from a standard rectangular tower, which creates the concave facades.

A net-like hexagonal pattern of sunshades on the exterior reinforces the dynamic shapes and provides critical protection from overheating.

The towers feature further sculpting with cantilevers and setbacks to create movement.

The mixed-use project designed for M+S Pte. Ltd. will include a five star hotel, a ballroom, residences, retail, office, and a connection to the MRT Bugis Junction Station.

The roofs are topped with green roofs and the street level will feature extensive landscaping for a total of public green space equivalent to the area of the project's site.

Environmental strategies like passive and active energy efficient design and natural ventilation help to reduce energy use.

The building’s orientation is optimized to prevailing sun and wind angles, while the concave building massing captures and channels wind flows through and across the site.

This creates cool microclimates within the shaded outdoor spaces. DUO is set to begin construction in 2013 and be completed in 2017.

Elevations showing the concavity.

Site lines from DUO.

DUO site plan.